Mellors secures award after 260% turnover rise

Mellors Food Groups has been recognised as the fastest-growing inner city hospitality company in the UK.

Between 1997 and 2001, the independent caterer, based in Southport, Lancashire, saw turnover rise by 260%, from £500,000 to £1.85m. Managing director Klaas Timmerman forecasts about £4m in annual sales for this year. The company has 45 contracts in the North-west, 70% in staff restaurants and 30% at schools and colleges.

Timmerman and his son, Mark, client services director, received the Inner City 100 award at a ceremony hosted at 11 Downing Street by Chancellor Gordon Brown and Trade and Industry Secretary Patricia Hewitt. Inner City 100 is a yearly business index sponsored by the New Economics Foundation to champion inner city revitalisation and change perceptions of inner cities.

Source: Caterer & Hotelkeeper magazine, 9-15 January 2003